Typographical composing machine



March 23, 1943. F. D. GEORGE TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept 23,. 1941 INVENTOR FREDERICK D. GEORGE ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 23, 1943 2,314,536 TYPOGRAPHICAL COMIPOSING MACHINE Frederick D. George, Sacramento, Calif., assignor to Intertype Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application September 23, 1941, Serial No. 411,950 14 Claims. (Cl. 199-22) This invention relates to typographical composing and slug casting machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent No. 486,532, wherein circulating character bearing matrices and expansible wedge spacebands when released from their places of storage on the machine in response to manipulation of a keyboard are composed into lines which are justified by expansion of the spacebands and after presentation to the slug casting devices of the machine are delivered to distributing mechanism which separates and returns the matrices and spacebands to their respective places of storage.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with improvements in the so-called spaceband buffer ordinarily provided on these machines to cushion the fall of the spacebands (comprising the usual long and short connected and relatively slidable wedges) as they drop individually by gravity into the entrance of the line assembling channel and among other things to support and guide the long or depending wedge member of the spacebands as they advance in the direction of growth of the line under composition.

As well known, the spaceband buffer comprises an elongated finger-like element loosely pivoted on the machine frame and having a horizontally disposed upper edge located somewhat below and aligned with the longitudinal center of the line assembling channel. The usual inverted -U- shaped notch in the lower end of the long wedge member of the spacebands straddles the upper edge of the buffer finger so that the latter produces a slight drag or resistance to the forward (leftward) advance of the spacebands, keeps them fromswinging and twisting as they advance and when the hinged front wall of the assem-- bling channel is swung open, and at the same time breaks the impact of the gravitating space-' bands and supportsthe weight of'the long wedge so as to minimize wear on the supporting lugs carried by the upper wedge member. As ordinarily arranged, the upper edge of the finger over such portion thereof as the long wedge of the spacebands is likely to impinge upon in'gravitating into the line is formed with a slight incline upwardly in the direction of advance of the spacebands (a leftward direction) in order to cause the upper end of a spaceband hanging adjacent to the usual assembler star wheel to lean slightly away from the latter and thus allow a succeeding matrix to enter and settle freely and quickly in front of the star wheel.

It will be understood that, as usual, the upper or short wedge member of the spacebands is pro-' vided with edgewise projecting lugs by which the spacebands hang freely on supporting rails in the line assembling channel and that when released the spacebands fall into the path of the rotating star wheel which pushes them leftward onto and along the aforesaid rails together with the matrices, the spacebands and matrices being held upright in the assembling channel by the usual assembler slide finger which is tensioned to resist slightly the advance of the line by the star wheel.

Owing to the fact that the buffer finger is loosely pivoted on the machine, that to produce the desired bufling action the spacebands first strike the finger at points along the aforesaid incline which are offset to the right of the pivot for the finger, and that the spacebands are vibrated by the rotating star wheel as they, gravitate, there is a tendency for the lower end of the long wedge to swing and to slide down the incline and thus allow the spaceband to assume such angular posture as sometimes to cause matrix jams and in any event todisturb the smoothness and speed of assembly by retarding the entry and settling of the succeeding matrices in front of the star wheel. This condition is emphasized by'reason of the inclined position in which the matrices approach the assembling channel as they slide by gravity off the well known inclined delivery belt, the blow of an oncoming matrix against the upper end of a spaceband lying adjacent to the star wheel acting to thrust the upper end to the left and thus accentuate the tendency forthe lower end to swing or slip to the right; I i

' 'Thewpresent inventionaims to improve the smoothness, accuracy and speed of assembly of lines by providing means adapted positively todirect the lower ends ofthe gravitatingspacebands to a common point on the aforementionedinclined surface of the buffer finger and means to compel them to lodge'at' said point and thus remain in a substantially true vertical posture without swinging motion as they settle in front of the star wheel and when struck by an oncoming matrix. Moreispecifically; the invention provides for this purposea sharply inclined surface so disposed as to present an" abrupt rise to the right from a pointin the upper edge of the finger substantially in vertical alignment with theentrance end of the line assembling channel, that is, the-position in said channel where the upper end of a spaceband upon its arrival in-the line lies adjacent to the blades of the rotating star wheel. The proposed sharply inclined surface may be formed as a part of the finger proper or on a separate piece adapted for attachment to or association with the finger. In any case, the effect of this incline together with the former rise in a leftward direction is to form a crotch or depression into the vertex of which the bottom end of each spaceband may settle or lodge with certainty and stability as the upper end of the spaceband is pushed into the line by the star wheel, the sides or walls of the crotch rising either as continuous smooth surfaces directly from the vertex or from points adjacent thereto and the wall at the right being so steep as to divert the end of the spaceband quickly and posi tively into the bottom of the crotch where it is stably retained in a substantially vertical posture until advanced to the left (by the addition of matrices to the line) at which time the relatively slight upward incline of the left wall produces only such drag as will cause the advancing spaceband to lean away from the star wheel the extent necessary to permit the entry and settling in the line of the succeeding matrices.

In the accompanying drawing, one embodiment of the improvements according to the invention is shown merely by way of example, and many changes and variations in the arrangement and combination of parts suitable for attaining the advantages of the invention and within the spirit thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as expressed in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a typographical machine showing the spaceband buffer of the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing a fragment of the buffer in Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale and illustrating the action thereof on a spaceband as it settles in the line.

Fig. 3 shows a spaceband of usual form viewed from one side.

The elements shown in Fig. 1 are representa tive of the usual construction found in commercial typographical composing machines wherein the matrices are stored according to character in the internally channeled magazine I which lies at an incline forwardly on suitable framework so that upon manipulation of the keyboard 2 which operates matrix escapement devices the matrices will slide by gravity into and through the usual walled passages of the assembler front 3 leading to the continuously running delivery belt 4 which latter carries them to the point of assembly in front of the rotating star wheel 5, the matrices being thus composed in the order of their release into lines which are supported on horizontal rails or ledges in the longitudinal line assembling channel along the top of the socalled assembling elevator 6.

Thespacebands which are of the usual construction shown in Fig. 3 are contained in the storage box I where they hang edgewise in compact relation by their opposed lugs 8 on downwardly inclined rails in the box and from which rails they are released individually upon operating the spaceband key 9 at the keyboard, a released spaceband dropping by gravity through the chute I IJ into the path of the rotating star wheel the blades of which act on a fiat side of the gravitating spaceband and throw it leftward so that its lugs 8 overlie and finally engage and hang freely upon the top rails II along the front and back walls of the line assembling channel. The foregoing and other parts and actions relating to the storage release and assembly of the matrices and spacebands is so well known that more detailed illustration and description than already given is deemed unnecessary for a clear portrayal and understanding of the present invention, It may be pointed out, however, that for purposes hereinbefore stated the machine is provided with the so-called spaceband buffer which the long wedge members of the spacebands straddle, the top edge of the buffer finger freely engaging the inner end of the usual inverted U-shaped notch I2 at the bottom end of the long wedge just prior to the time the lugs on the upper wedge member of the spacebands contact with the rails II and remaining so engaged throughout the advance leftward of the spacebands along the line assembling channel.

According to the present invention there is provided a buffer finger l3 which as heretofore is loosely pivoted on the machine frame, as by engagement of a vertically elongated hole l4 over the shoulder screw 15. The buffer l3, however, differs materially in form and action over buffers heretofore employed, the principal distinction in form being the addition of a hump presenting toward the right hand end of the finger a steeply inclined surface It which rises preferably to a higher level than other portions of the upper edge of the finger. The purpose and action of the surface IE will shortly become apparent but it should first be pointed out that the finger I3 is also provided with a relatively slight inclined surface I! rising to the left from the foot of the surface I6, the incline I! corresponding generally to such arrangement on buffers heretofore employed except for the fact that in the absence of the rising surface It as herein provided the incline l1 heretofore has extended all the way to the right end of the buffer finger or at least well beyond a point vertically below the position of a spaceband hanging vertically and adjacent to the blades of the rotating star wheel.

As will be clear from Figs. 1 and 2, the inclined surfaces 16 and [1 merge together in such manner as to form on the upper edge of the buffer finger a depression or crotch the vertex l8 of which lies vertically below or substantially in vertical alignment with the position in the line assembling channel at which a spaceband when settled in the line lies adjacent to the blades of the rotating star wheel 5. As a result of this crotch or depression each spaceband as it settles in the line is caused immediately to assume a substantially vertical posture and to hang stably, that is, without vibration or swinging of the lower end thereof, the steeply inclined wall l6 rising to such height as to engage and guide the lower end of the spaceband during the latter part of its gravity flight and to prevent the lower end from swinging and also from sliding to the right as it settles in spite of any rocking clockwise of the loosely pivoted buffer on its mounting screw l5 due to the impact of the falling spaceband. The relatively slight incline l1 rising .to the left from the vertex l8 enables a spaceband lying adjacent to the star wheel to be advanced at its upper end by the star wheel sufficiently to freely admit a succeeding matrix, such spaceband tilting slightly upon starting to advance and while its lower end rests momentarily in the vertex I8.

' At a convenient point to the left of its pivot IS the finger l3 rests freely on a suitable fixed lug or projection I9 which supports the finger with its upper edge in horizontal position.

The action of the improved buffer on a gravitating spaceband is best shown in Fig. 2. Here the space band S while gravitating and at the same time vibrating, as usual, under the influence of the rotating star wheel 5 assumes toward the latter part of its downward flight one or another angular position-such as that indicated by the full lines. Upon encountering the steep incline IS the lower end of 'the spaceband is immediately diverted thereby toward and into the vertex I8 where, as'indicated by dot-dash lines,'the spaceband COnfiES to rest and hangs stably on the rails H in a substantially vertical posture. 7

The inclined surfaces 16 and 11 are preferably rectilinear and blend smoothly into the vertex [8 which latter on a radius, and the incline l6 preferably rises more steeply and to a greater height than'the incline I! so as to engage and direct the lower end of a spaceband leftward into the vertex l8 with certainty and dispatch when the buffer finger rocks excessively or to the maximum extent it may when no spacebands are resting on it at points to the left of its pivot l5. The vertex 18 may be located at levels slightly above or below that of the horizontal leftward extension of the buffer finger or it may be located at the exact level of such extension, minor variations in this respect having no perceptible effect one way or the other upon the action of the buffer or of the spacebands. Moreover, while the inclined surfaces I6 and [1 as herein shown are integral with the finger [3 (this being a convenient expedient from the manufacturing standpoint), it

will be obvious that equivalent surfaces suitable for the purposes intended may be provided on one or more parts separate from the finger proper but associated therewith in the manner herein set forth.

Having described my invention,

1. A spaceband buffer finger comprising an elongated member having a pivotal axis located between its ends, a straight spaceband supporting edge extending away from the pivotal axis toward one end of the member, and a crotch located between said pivotal axis and the other end of said member, said crotch being formed by surfaces which diverge outwardly from the vertex of the crotch and lie in the same plane with said straight edge, one of said surfaces being what I claim inclined in a direction toward the straight edgeend of the member and the other of said surfaces being inclined toward the other end of said member.

2. A spaceband buffer finger comprising an elongated member having a pivotal axis located between its ends, a straight spaceband supporting edge extending away from the pivotal axis toward one end of the member, and a crotch located between said pivotal by surfaces which diverge outwardly at different angles from the vertex of the crotch and lie in the same plane with said straight edge, one of said surfaces being inclined in a direction toward axis and the other end of said member, said crotch being formedv may be either sharp or formed relative to said edge, the

end of said member and forming an obtuse anglewith the first mentioned surface.

3. In a typographical machine, a pivoted spaceband buffer having at one side of its pivot a portion comprising an elongated horizontal edge for supporting and guiding the lower ends of spacebands upon movement of the latter along the buffer and having at the other side of its pivot a spaceband receiving portion comprising a crotch formed by divergent surfaces which extend upwardly above the level of said horizontal edge and are inclined relative thereto, said surfaces being adapted to engage the lower end of a spaceband received by the buffer and between them to retain said lower end stably at rest until the spaceband is advanced to the horizontal edge portion of the buffer.

4. In a typographical machine, a pivoted spaceband buffer according to claim 3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified intersect at the vertex of the crotch and extend upwardly therefrom to different levels respectively above that of the horizontal edge portion of the buffer.

5. In a typographical machine, a pivoted spaceband buffer according to claim3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified extend upwardly to different levels respectively above that of the horizontal edge portion of the buffer, the surface which is inclined in a direction away from said edge portion extending to the higher level.

6. In a typographical machine according to claim 3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified extend upwardly from the vertex of the crotch at different angles of inclination relative to the horizontal edge of the buffer and form an obtuse angle between them.

7. In a typographical machine according to claim 3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified extend upwardly from the vertex of the crotch at different angles of inclination relative to the horizontal edge of the buffer and form an obtuse angle between them, the more steeply inclined surface extending in a direction away from the horizontal edge portion of the buffer.

8. In a typographical machine according to claim 3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified extend upwardly from the vertex of the crotch to different levels above that of the horizontal edge of the buffer and at different angles of inclination more steeply inclined surface extending to the higher level and forming an obtuse angle with the other inclined surface of the crotch.

9. In a typographical machine according to claim 3, wherein the divergent surfaces specified extend upwardly from the vertex of the crotch to different levels above that of the horizontal edge of the buffer and at different angles of inclination relative to said edge, the more steeply inclined surface extending to the higher level and projecting in a direction away from the horizontal edge portion of the buffer.

10. In a typographical machine the combination of a horizontal line assembling channel, a rotary star wheel adapted to deliver gravitating matrices and spacebands into the entrance end of said channel and subsequently to advance such elements along the channel, and a spaceband buffer finger having a horizontally elongated upper edge disposed longitudinally below the assembling channel and adapted to guide and support the lower ends of the spacebands when advanced along said channel, said finger having formed thereon at the spaceband receiving end of its upper edge a crotch the vertex of which lies vertically below the entrance end of the assembling channel and the sides of which provide upwardly divergent surfaces rising at an incline above the level of the horizontal upper edge of the finger and engageable respectively with the opposite sidesof the lower end of each spaceband received by the finger.

11. In a typographical machine, the combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the divergent sides of the crotch extend upwardly respectively to diiierent levels above and at different angles of inclination relative to the horizontal upper edge of the finger, the steeper side extending to the higher level and rising in a direction toward the spaceband receiving end of the finger.

12. In a typographical machine, the combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the buffer finger is pivoted on the machine and the vertex of the crotch specified is located at the opposite side of the pivot from the horizontally elongated upper edge of the finger.

13. In a typographical machine, the combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the buffer finger is pivoted on the machine at a point longitudinally disposed between the vertex of the crotch and the horizontally elongated upper edge of the finger and located below said vertex and said edge.

14. In a typographical machine; the combination of a horizontal line assembling channel, a rotary star wheel adapted to deliver gravitating matrices and spacebands into the entrance end of said channel and subsequently to advance such elements along the channel, a spaceband buffer comprising an elongated finger having a horizontal upper edge disposed below and longitudinally of the assembling channel and adapted to support; the lower ends of spacebands when advanced along said channel, and upwardly divergent surfaces disposed below the entrance end of the assembling channel and adjacent to the receiving end of said buffer but extending from a point of intersection substantially at the level of the horizontal edge to different levels above said edge and at opposite inclinations relative to the latter, said surfaces being adapted to engage from opposite sides the lower end of each spaceband while gravitating toward the bufier and toretain said lower end against movement longitudinally of the buffer until the spaceband is advanced along the assembling channel.

FREDERICK D. GEORGE. 

